A live audio webcast of the conference call can be accessed at the company's website, www.sterlingfinancialcorporation.com. To access this audio presentation call, click on the audio webcast icon. Additionally, you may listen to the live conference call by telephone by dialing 517-308-9210 approximately five minutes before the scheduled start time and provide the password STERLING. A webcast replay of the conference call will be available on the company's website approximately one hour following the completion of the call. The webcast replay will be offered through May 23, 2013.

About Sterling Financial Corporation

Sterling Financial Corporation (NAS: STSA) of Spokane, Washington, is the bank holding company for Sterling Savings Bank, a Washington state chartered and federally insured commercial bank. Sterling Savings Bank does business as Sterling Bank and Sonoma Bank (in California). Sterling offers banking products and services, mortgage lending, and trust and investment products to individuals, small businesses, corporations and other commercial organizations. As of Dec. 31, 2012, Sterling had assets of $9.24 billion and operated depository branches in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and California. Visit Sterling's website at www.bankwithsterling.com.